Control mechanism



April 26, 1932- G. A. DE LANGIE 1,855,707

CONTROL MECHANT SM Filed June l2, 1929 Patented Apr. :26,1932

j OFFICE GODFBEY DE LANGIE, F NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR 0FONE-HALF TO PETER DE LANGIE, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND A CONTROLMECHANISM Application led .Tune 12,

`perature and means acting upon the movablev portion of the heatresponsive member to vary its rate of movement at certain pointsadjacent tothe critical temperature whereby quick movement of themovable portion of said heat responsive member may result in order toproduce quick movement of the switch in making and breaking the electriccurrent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heat responsive memberhaving a portion free tp move in 'response to variations in temperatureand a switchmember carried by the movable portion of said heatresponsive member for making or breaking an electric current.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a control memberconnected with the movable lportion of a heat responsive member forvarying the movement of the free portion of said heat responsive memberwhen subject to variations in temperature.

Another objectl of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter having means ,for effecting movement of `an electric switch tomake or break an electric circuit at predetermined temperatures togethermeans for effecting the movements of the switch member in such a manneras to substantially prevent arcing of the current when the circuit ismadeor broken.

Another object of the invention is to provide a quick acting switch formaking or breaking an electric circuit togther with means forrestraining movement of the e switch at temperatures adjacent to theoperating temperature and for effecting a sudden release of the switchmember to cause a with' i929. serial 110.370,375.

quick movement of the same in making or breaking the electric circuit.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to various improveddetails of construction and novel methods of operation as will be morefully set forth in the detailed description to `follow Referring to theAdrawings j Fig. l is a side elevational view of a curling ironillustrating one form of my invention as applied thereto, Y

Fig.. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the `structure as shown in Fig.l, certain of th parts being shown in elevation,

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 partiallyin section and taken at substantially right angles to the section shownin Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal view partially in section'of the structureshown in Fig. 2, taken substantially along the line 4--4 of Fi 2,'

and looking in the opposite direction rom the view shown in Fig. 3, and,

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the structure, takensubstantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

In the embodiment of thel invention illustrated herewithmy improvedmechanism is illustrated as applied` to an electric curling iron,although it is to be understood that it is applicable for use inconnection with a variety of other electrically heated devices andappliances, such as, hot water bottles, latirons, electric curlers,etc., and more particularly in connectionwith such devices or appliancesas require a control means capable of operating within narrow`temperature ranges.

In the form of the invention shown herein, l designates Agenerally anelectric curling iron provided with a handle 2, a fixed blade 3, and amovable blade 4. In the structure shown the fixed blade 3 has a collar 5secured thereto which is provided upon opposite sides with parallelgrooves 6 having depressions 7 located adjacent the inner ends thereof,the y static member.

tion of the movable blade 4 in such a manner that its free yend isadapted to engage a portion of the fixed blade 3 to resiliently seat theprojections 8 in the depressions 7 of the grooves 6 when the parts arein assembled position as shown in Fig. 1, while permitting separation ofthe parts by forcing the movable blade 4 towards the fixed blade 3 whenit isnecessary to disassemble the parts. p

The fixed bladev 3 has a portion 11 of the thermostatic member 12secured therein and a portion 13 of said thermostatic member extendingrearwardly from the fixed blade 3,

and adapted to be positioned within the handle 2 to serve as a supportfor certain of the elements of the control mechanism.

In assembling the parts the handle 2 is first passed over the fixedblade 3 and forced rearwardly thereon until an abutment 14 thereonengages the portion 13 of the thermo- The movable blade 4 is thenpressed into engagement with the fixed blade in such position as tobring the oppositely positioned projections 8 into registry wit the openends of the grooves 6. The projections 8 are then forced rearwardly intothe grooves 6 to a position opposite the depressions 7 into which theyare drawn by the pressure exerted by the 'spring 9 carried by themovable blade.

The fixed blade 3 of the iron comprises a tapered tubular metallicmember having the smaller end thereof closed and adapted to receive anelectrical heating element 15 and one end 11 of thefixed portion 12 ofthe heat responsive member. The electrical heating element 15 may beformed in any suitable or desired manner and in the present instancecomprises several thin plates 16 of mica or other suitable insulatingmaterial having positioned therebetween a suitable resistance coil 18having terminals 19 and 2() adapted for connection to the terminals ofan electric circuit for heating the fixed blade 3 of the iron. The heatresponsive member 12 is of tubular construction substantially throughoutits length and preferably contains a quantity of fluid material 21capable of expanding under the influence of an increase in temperatureand correspondingly contracting upon a decrease in temperature. The heatresponsive member 12 comprises the fixed portion 11 located within thetubular portion of the fixed blade 3 in close contact with the heatingelement 15 and the fixed portion` 13 extending outwardly therefrom andterminating in a curved free end portion 22 which is free to move inresponse to variations in temperature and which is 'caused to moveoutwardly from the longitudinal axis of the fixed blade by anysubstantial increase intemperature of the fluid contained therein. Thecurved end por` tion 22 of the heat responsive member is spaced from theheating element 15 a SUH- cient distance to be located out of the sphereof direct influence of the heating element and is actuated wholly by theexpansion or contraction of the fluid contained in the heat responsivemember, which expansion or contraction is induced through the heating orcooling of the liquid by temperature changes in the heating element.

The portion 13 of the heat responsive member 12 which extends outwardlyfrom the fixed blade 3 is secured in any suitable manner to a supportingmember 23 which carries a plate 24 of insulating material firmly securedthereto as by screws or other suitable fastening means 25. The plate 24may be formed of bakelite, ebonite or other suitable insulating materialand one end thereof is recessed as at 26 to provide a space for thereception of a part of the movable portion 22 y of the heat responsivemember, thus forming outwardly projecting sides 27 and 28, to which aresecured metal plates 29 and 30 respectively by means of suitablefastening devices 31, for supporting a contact plug 32.

The contact plug 32 comprises a pair of circular disks 33 and 34 formedof insulating material which are secured to the plates 29 and 30bysuitable fastening means 35.

A tubular contact plate 36 is carried by the disks 33 and 34 andprovided with a flange 37 located between the disks 33 and 34 by whichelectrical connection is made with the metal plate 29 for one branch ofan electric circuit. A tubular contact plate 38 which makes connectionwith the other branch of the circuit is supported in spaced relation tothe contact plate 36, by means of a metal screw 39 which connects thecontact plate 38 with a flange 40 carried by the other metallic plate30. The tubular contact plates 36 and 38 andf'their connecting parts areinsulated from each other by the disks 33 and 34 and bushing 41, each ofwhich is formed of suitable insulating material.

The metal plates 29 and 30 are secured to the plate 24 of insulatingmaterial and are thereby insulated from each other and the metalelements of the structure. The metal plate 29 which is in electricalconnection with the contact plate 36 is directly connected with oneterminal 19 of the resistance element by the conducting wire 43. Aconductor 44 and flexible wire connection 45 connect the plate 30 with amovable contact member 46 carried by a switch member 47, and insulatedtherefrom by means of an insulating bushing 48. A stationary contactmember 49 is carried by the plate 24 of insulating material and hassecured thereto the other terminal 20 of the resistance element.

The movable end portion 22 of the heat responsive member 12 whichextends beyond the anchoring plate 23 is hollow throughout the majorportion of its extent and the hollas ,tion of. the heat responsivemember.

low interior portion thereof is continuous with the hollow interiorportions of the parts 11 and 13 thereof. The switch member 47' issecured to the free end of the movable portion 22 of the heat responsivemember. as at 50 by soldering or in any other suitable manner. One-'sideof the insulating plate 24 is recessed to receive a thin metal plate 51which is provided with a dent or concavoconvex portion 52 which normallyoccupies the position as shown in full lines in Fig. 2 o f the drawings.The concavo-convex portion 52 is of materially less superlicial areathan the metal plate 51, and has yits edges spaced from the edges of themetal plate 51 upon all sides thereof. A circular recess 53 is formed inthe plate 24 opposite the concavo-convex portion 52 of the plate 51 andan opening 54 extends through the plate 24 and communicates with therecess 53 adjacent to the central part thereof. An opening 55 is formedin the` switch member 47 or in the extreme end portion of the free end22 of the heat vresponsive member orin both, and a connecting member 56is passed through an opening formed in the central part of theconcave-convex portion of the metal plate 51 and through the openings 54and 55. The connecting member 56 may be provided with an enlarged head57 adapted to engage the convex face of the concave-convex portion 52 ofthe plate 51 when the concavo-convex portion .of the plate 51` occupiesits normal position and an adjusting nut 58 may be threaded upon theopposite end of the connecting member-56 to overlie and engage the outersurface of the switch or movable end porr- T e concavoionvex portion ofthe thin metal plate isresilient, in that it tends to returnautomatically toits normal position as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawingsafter deformation caused by movement of the free end portion 22 `of theheat expansive member into position to move the switch member 47 so asto carry the contact 46 out of engagement withI the contact 49.

The nut 58 may be adjusted as desired upon the connecting member 56 andheld in the desired adjusted position by means of allexible springlocking member 59 having one end secured to the switch member as at 60and the opposite end adapted to engage any one of a plurality ofradialxnotches 61 formed in the nut 58.

In the operation lof the structure the con-7 tact plug 32 is inserted ina suitable socket to bring the Contact plates 36 and 38 into ed'ectivecontact with the terminals of ,an/

electric circuit whereby current may be provided for heating the device.

i The current may pass from the contact plate 36 through the ange 37 andplate 2.9 to the conductor 43 and from thence to the resistance element18 through connection closed through the resistance element 18. As

the temperature of the resistance element is raised the fluid 21contained in the heat responsive member 12 expands and causes the freeend portion 22 thereof to move outwardly .from the longitudinal axis ofthe structure. The outward movement of the free end portion 22 of theheat responsive member is restrained however, by the resist-v anceoffered by the head 57 of the connecting member 56 coming intoengagement with the convex face of the concavo-convex por tion 52 of themetal plate 51. When the force tending to move the free end portion 22of the heat responsive member outwardly from the longitudinal axis ofthe structure is sutiicient to overcome the resistance to change exertedby the concavo-convex portion 52 of the metal plate 51, theconcavo-convex portion 52 of the plate 51 suddenly moves from its fullline position as shown in Fig. 2 to its dotted line position as shown inthat figure,

thus permitting quick movement of the free end vportion 22 of the heatresponsive member and the switch member 47 outwardly from thelongitudinal axis of the structure and into the position of these partsas shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, whereby the contact member 46 issuddenly separated from the contact member 49 in such a manner as toprevent arcing as the current through the resistance element 18 isbroken.

The breaking of the circuit through the resistance element 18 permitsthe cooling of the liquid in the heat responsive member 12 to such anextent that the free end portion 22 no longer tends to move outwardlyfrom the longitudinal axis of the .structure as strongly as it did indrawing the concavoconvex portion 52 of the plate 51 into its dottedline position, and as a consequence the force exerted by the free endportion 22 of the heat responsive member is eventually overcome by thetendency of the concavo-convex portion 52 of the plate 51 to resume itsinitial full line position. When this point is reached theconcavo-convex portion 52 of thecontact 4:9 to close the circuit throughthe resistance element 18.

By securing the adjusting nut 58 in the proper position upon theconnecting memberv 56 the control mechanism may be set to break thecircuit through the resistance element 18 at any desired temperature.When the parts of the heat responsive member are properly proportionedthe structure provides a very delicate means for controlling thetemperature of the heated member, and may be made eii'ective forcontrolling the temperature of the iron within a temperature range ofone or two degrees and at very low temperatures, such as from one to twohundred degrees F. While I have shown, the switch member 47 as carriedby the free end of the movable end portion of the heat responsivemember, it is to be understood that the switch plate may be otherwisemounted and controlled by the movable portion of the heat responsivemember.

Various changes may also be made in the form and arrangement of theother parts of the mechanism, as well as the changes in the shape andproportions of the elements employed, and the substitution ofequivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims, which are to be broadly construed in the light of the foregoingdescription.

What I claim is 1. In a control mechanism 'for an electrically heateddevice, thecombination with a heat transmitting member, a heatresponsive member comprising a closed tube having a fixed portionlocated in position to absorb heat from the heat transmitting -memberand a portion remote from said `heat absorbing portion and free to movein response to variations in temperature, a contact actuated by movementof the free yportion of said heat responsive member, and

means for restraining the movement of the free portion of said heatresponsive member, said means being operative to effect a sudden releaseof the movable portion of said heat responsive member when thetemperature of the same reaches a predetermined point, whereby saidcontact is given a quick movement to open an electric circuit.

2` In a control mechanism for an electrically heated device, thecombination with a heat responsive member having a fixed portion and aportion free to move in response to variations in temperature, of aswitch member carried by the movable portion of said heat responsivemember and movable with the movable portion of said heat responsivemember into or out of engagement with a cooperating stationary switchmember to open or close an electric circuit, and means for restrainingthe movement of the free portion of said heat responsive member in onedirection, said means being operative to effect a quick release of themovable portion of said heat responsive member when the temperature ofthe same reaches a predetermined point.

8. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of atemperature operated controlling member having a movable portion, anelectrical contact carried by,

the movable portion of said member, a stationary electrical contact withwhich the electrical contact carried by the movable portion of saidmember is adapted to cooperate to open or close an electric circuit, andresilient means for restraining movement of the movable portion of saidcontrolling member under certain conditions of temperature and forpermitting quick movement of the same when the temperature reaches apredetermined point.

4.-. In a control mechanism for an electrically heated device, athermostatic member comprising a closed tube containing an expansiblematerial and having a ixed portion and an end portion free to move inresponse to variations in temperature, a switch member carried by thefree end portion of said tube and movable to cooperate with a stationaryswitch member to open or close an electric circuit upon movement of thefree end portion of said tube, and resilient means for restraining themovement of the free end portion of said tube under certain conditionsof temperature and permitting a quick movement of the free end portionof said tube when the temperature reaches a predetermined point wherebyquick movement of said switch member is effected.

5. In a cont-rol mechanism for an electrically heated device, athermostatic member comprising a closed tube having a iXed portion and acurved end portion remote from said fixed portion and free to move inresponse to variations in temperature, a switch member carried by thefree end porti-on of said tube and movable therewith to open or close anelectric circuit upon movement of the free end portion of said tube, andmeans comprising a thin metallic plate provided with a resilientdeformable portion for restraining the movement of the free end portionof said `tube until the temperature reaches a predetermined point andoperative to release the free end portion of said tube when thetemperature reaches a predetermined point whereby the` free end portionof said tube causes a quick movement of said switch to open the electriccircuit.

^ 6. In a control mechanism for an electricallyv heated device, athermostatic member com with a resilient deformable portion for'ref aquick release of the free end portion of said tube when the temperaturereaches a predetermined point. andl thereby cause a quick movement ofsaid switch to open the circuit'.

`7. In a controlmechanism, a thermostatic member comprising an elongatedclosed end vtube having a AiiXed portion located in proximity Vvto aheattransmitting member and a free end portion remote from and locatedoutside the sphere of direct` influence of said heat transmitting memberand movable in response to .variations in temperature, a 4 swltch membermovable to open or close an electric circuit and actuatable uponmovement of the free end portion of said tube,

means for restraining the movement of the free end portion of saidtube'at tempera-` tures above or below a predetermined point butoperable to permit a sudden movement of the free end portion of saidtube at said redetermined temperature and to return the ree end portionof said tube to its initial position upon decrease in temperature whereyquick movement of said switch is effected to open or close the electriccircuit.

8. In a control mechanism, a thermostatic member, a switch forvopeningor closing an electric circuit, a metal plate having a resilientdented portion formed therein of less area than the area of said plateand movable independently of a portion of said plate, and meansconnecting the dented portion of Said metal plate with said thermostaticmember for eiiecting quick movement of said switch at or near thecritical temperature point.

9. In a controlmechanism, an elongated thermostatic'member, a switch foropening or closing an electric circuit, a thin metal plate having aresilient deformable portion and a relatively stable portion locatedout- Wardly of said deformable portion, means connecting the deformableportion of said metal plate with said thermostat-ic member for eiecting'quick movement ot said switch at or near the critical temperaturepoint.

V10. In a control mechanism for anelectril cally heated device, thecombination with a heat responsive member comprising a closed tubecontaining an expansible material and 'having a portion thereof free tomove in response to variations in temperature, a switch carried by thefree portion of said heat responsive member, and means for restrainingthe movement of the free portion of said heat `responsive memberthroughout a portion of its path.

11. In a control mechanism, a thermostatic member, a switch actuated bysaid thermostatic member for opening or closin an electric circuit, ametal plate provide with a portion and a. distorted portion the ently ofthe remaining portion of said plate,

and means directly connecting said thermostatic member with thedistorted portion of said plate for controlling the movement of saidswitch.

12. In a control mechanism, a thermostatic member, a switch for openingor closing an electric circuit, a metal plate having a relatively stableportion and a resilient deformable portion, and means for connectingsaid switch with the deformable portion of said metal plate forresisting the movement of said switch to open the circuit under certainconditions of temperature and returning said switch into position toclose the circuit under other conditionsof temperature, without materialmovemenn of' the relatively stable portion of said plate. y i

13. In a control mechanism, a 'thermostatic member, a switch carried ,bysaid thermostatic member for opening or closing an electric Vcircuit, ametal plate having a concavo-convex portion, means for operativelyconnectingvvthe concavo-convex portion of said met-al plate with saidswitch member, and means for varying the eliective length of saidconnecting means.

14. In a device of the character described a,`

thin metal plate provided with a deformable portion, a temperaturecontrolled movable member, means for operatively connecting thedeformable portion of said plate with said movable member, andadjustable/ means for varying the eective length of said connectmgmeans.

15. In a device of the character described, a switbh member movable toopen or close an electric circuit, al thin metal plate provided with aconcavo-convex portion located within and spaced from the periphery ofsaid thin metal plate on all sides thereof, and means for positivelyconnecting said switch with the concave-convex portion of said metalplate for controlling the movement of said switch.

16. ln a device of the character described, a thermostatic member havinga portion free to move in response to variations in temperature, aswitch carried by the movable portion of said thermostatic member, andmeans for restraining the movement of the free portion of said memberunder certain conditions of temperature while permitting a kquickmovetion movable upon increase in temperature and provided with anelectric contactmenber Jfor closing a circuit, and resilient means forrestraining the movement of the movable portion of said controllingmember but permitting quick movement thereof to open the circuit whenthe temperature reaches a predetermined point, said resilient meansbeing effective upon decrease in temperature to return the movableportion of said controlling member to its initial position and close thecircuit.

18. ln a control mechanism for an electrical device, the combinationwith a heat responsive member having one end portion thereof free tomove in response to variations in temperature, a switch member carriedby the movable portion of-said heat responsive member, and resilientmeans for restraining movement of the free end portion of said heatresponsive member in one direction under increase in temperature whilepermitting quick movement of the same when the temperature reaches apredetermined point, said resilient means being operative to effect aquick movement of the free end porti-on of said controlling member inthe opposite direction when the temperature falls below a predeterminedpoint.

In testimony whereof I have axed my signature.

GODFREY ALFRED DE LANGIE.

